What is the Arts Council up to in 2018? More First Friday with the Arts, Red Light Nights, Saturday Serenades, art exhibitions, performances and more! Check here to keep up-to-date with all events the Arts Council is hosting or promoting and sign up for our weekly email newsletter which compiles all art events for the Southeast Missouri region.

January 5, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More Here>

February 3, at 10:00 am | Poetry Out LoudHeld at the Cape Public Library, this is the local part of a national poetry recitation contest for high school students. The winner of the contest at the Cape Public Library will go on to Jefferson City to attend the State-wide competition as a representative of the Southeast Missouri Region.Learn More Here>

February 2, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm | Opening Reception for the Children's Arts Festival
Held in our gallery at 16B North Spanish Street the Children's Arts Festival was developed as a way to showcase what local arts teachers, and their students, are doing in the classroom. With over 20 schools signed up to participate, there will be an expanse of imagination on display! Learn More Here>

February 2, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday Cookie SpreeThe First Friday with the Arts Committee has organized a Cookie Spree for the month of February! First Friday with the Arts is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More HereFebruary 7 | Missouri Arts Awards CeremonySince 1983, the Missouri Arts Council and the State of Missouri have been honoring our state’s arts heroes—the people who make the arts happen. The annual Missouri Arts Awards celebrate people, organizations, and communities that have made profound and lasting contributions to the cultural and artistic climate of the state. This year, our very own Jerry Ford has been selected for the honor of "Individual Artist!"Learn More Here>
February 15 at 7:00 pm| Red Light Night: Material Expressions of Migration, Violence, and Community-building and Childhood in the Pre-Columbian Central Illinois River ValleyJoin the Arts Council for Red Light Night, a free evening discussion of controversial topics within the arts! Red Light Nights are intended for a mature audience.Learn More Here>

February 23 | Otto F. Dingeldein Gala EventThe prestigious Otto F. Dingeldein Award and Friend
of the Arts Award will both be announced at this evening Gala Event,
held in the home of Dr. & Mrs. Paul Holcomb.Learn More Here>
February 24, morning | Regional Art Educators BrunchArts Educators that have participated in the Children's Arts Festival, or are interested in participating, are invited to attend a Regional Art Educators Brunch.

March 2, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More Here>

March 2, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Opening Reception: "Kerra Taylor"During the month of March, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is excited to host the artwork of artist Kerra Taylor! In addition, new works will be on display by the Visual Arts Cooperative.March 15 at 7:00 pm | Red Light Night: Making Space for MyselfJoin the Arts Council for Red Light Night, a free evening discussion of controversial topics within the arts! Red Light Nights are intended for a mature audience.Learn More Here>
March 28 | Fine Arts Education Day
Artwork selected from the Children's Arts Festival will be presented by young artists at the Capitol Building in Jefferson City during Fine Arts Education Day!Learn More Here>

April 6, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts
is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the
galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly
event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often
providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the
event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often
hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More Here>

April 6, 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Opening Reception: Visual Arts Cooperative During the month of April, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will host works by the Visual Arts Cooperative in both of our galleries!April 19| Red Light Night: Found Objects As Musical InstrumentsJoin the Arts Council for Red Light Night, a free evening discussion of controversial topics within the arts! Red Light Nights are intended for a mature audience.Learn More Here>

May 4, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork!Learn More Here>

May 4, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Opening Reception for the 8th Congressional District High School Art CompetitionThis will be the 31st Annual Eighth Congressional District High School Art Competition! Held at the Arts Council gallery at 16B North Spanish Street. Each spring, this nationwide high school art competition recognizes and encourages artistic talent in America. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Students in grades 9-12 have submitted original paintings, drawings, collages, mixed media, computer-generated art, and photographs. A panel of art experts will select a winning work of art from our Eighth Congressional District to be displayed on Capitol Hill for one year. In addition, the winner of the Eighth Congressional District Art Contest will receive free airfare for two individuals to attend a national recognition reception in Washington D.C. held in June.

May 17, from 7:00-9:00 pm | Red Light Night: Digital Materiality and Empathetic ResponseJoin the Arts Council for Red Light Night,
a free evening discussion of controversial topics within the arts! Red
Light Nights are intended for a mature audience.Learn More Here>

May 19 at 1:00 pm | One Nation, One FlagFor the second year, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will present “One Nation, One Flag,” a celebration of the arts, to honor our nation’s military Veterans. This function will take place on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. The ceremony will include a patriotic exhibit, live music performances from local talent, and feature guest speakers. It is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Local area Veterans from the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Cape Girardeau will be present as our guests of honor.

May 19 - 20 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm | Plein-Air Bootcamp Workshop with Ryan JensenThe Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is excited to be hosting a plein-air painting workshop on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20. Traveling from California to lead this workshop will be Ryan Jensen. Jensen is a proud Marine Corps Veteran who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq as a sniper group leader. He also happens to be a brilliant artist and plein-air painter. This workshop will serve as a “Plein-Air Bootcamp” to artists of all skill levels and backgrounds – from beginner to professional. Click Here to Download Plein-Air Registration Form

May 20 at 1:00 pm | Sunday Afternoon Plein-Air Competition The competition is open to artists of all skill levels, and those who didn’t participate in Ryan Jensen's workshop are also encouraged to sign up and participate. Accepted media will include acrylics, oils, pastels, and watercolors. Artists should be prepared to bring their own supplies. The winner of the Grand Prize will receive an original painting by Ryan Jensen. Other cash prizes will also be awarded. Fill out the Plein-Air Registration Form above to register for the competition. A $30 registration fee is due before the competition begins.

June 1, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Opening Reception for National Juried Exhibition
The Arts Council will be hosting a reception for its National Juried Exhibition. Art and Fear beckons artists across the United States to submit work that explores the concepts of fear, anxiety, or phobias. Fear is a fluctuating entity and can mean many different things to different people. Art and Fear was able to bring in 72 different submissions from artists across 25 states. This year's juror was Marcus J. Howell, who teaches at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

June 1, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the Arts - Pets Night Out!Join us in downtown Cape Girardeau as we host a Pet Friendly Art Walk. We are planning for pet portraits, pet photography, adoption events, doggie treats, costume contests, animal artwork and more! Details can be found by visiting the Pets Night Out page.

June 10 at 2:00 pm | Opening Reception for Art for the Health of ItArt for the Health of It is an annual exhibition running from June - August held at and sponsored by Southeast HEALTH. Art for the Health of It provides a way to utilize art as a calming agent in a stress-laden environment, while demonstrating the health and healing benefits of artistic images and expression. Learn More Here

June 16 | River Campus Summer Arts FestivalThe River Campus, at 518 Fountain Street in Cape Girardeau, will be bringing back the popular Summer Arts Festival including performances, art, music, and activities for all ages. Free admission. Visit the venue's website HERE>

June - July | Summer Art Academy Workshops

The 2018 Art Academy Summer Art Workshops, sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University, are fun, engaging and creative learning experiences in a wide variety of media for ages six through adult. Classes are include ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture and puppetry! For additional Art Academy information and registration forms please go to www.capearts.org/ArtAcademy.aspx.

July 6, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts
is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the
galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly
event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often
providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the
event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often
hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More Here

July 6, from 7:30 - TBA | Pop Up Movie Nights (Sing)You've wanted it, now you got it! The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation has partnered together to present Pop-Up Movie Nights every Friday night in July. Everyone is invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and find a place on the grass to enjoy the show at the Dan Cotner Amphitheatre in Capaha Park. There will be activities for kids, and popular food trucks will serve up their signature dishes! Free admission. Learn More Here

July 13, from 7:30 - TBA | Pop Up Movie Nights (Grease)You've wanted it, now you got it! The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation has partnered together to present Pop-Up Movie Nights every Friday night in July. Everyone is invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and find a place on the grass to enjoy the show at the Dan Cotner Amphitheatre in Capaha Park. There will be activities for kids, and popular food trucks will serve up their signature dishes! Free admission.Learn More Here

July 20, from 7:30 - TBA | Pop Up Movie Nights (Moana)You've wanted it, now you got it! The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation has partnered together to present Pop-Up Movie Nights every Friday night in July. Everyone is invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and find a place on the grass to enjoy the show at the Dan Cotner Amphitheatre in Capaha Park. There will be activities for kids, and popular food trucks will serve up their signature dishes! Free admission.Learn More Here

July 27, from 7:30 - TBA | Pop Up Movie Nights (Beauty and the Beast, 2017) You've wanted it, now you got it! The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation has partnered together to present Pop-Up Movie Nights every Friday night in July. Everyone is invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and find a place on the grass to enjoy the show at the Dan Cotner Amphitheatre in Capaha Park. There will be activities for kids, and popular food trucks will serve up their signature dishes! Free admission.Learn More Here

August 3, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Opening Reception for the Summer Art Academy Show
The Arts Council galleries are always excited to present the varied artwork created during the Summer Art Academy! Artwork will include creations from children Ages 6 - 9, Ages 10 - 15, and from 16 - Adult. The Community Wall will be featuring work created by local Nursing Home Residents during the Summer Art Academy.

August 3, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts
is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the
galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly
event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often
providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the
event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often
hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More Here

September 7, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts
is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the
galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly
event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often
providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the
event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often
hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More Here>

September 7, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Opening Reception for the 6th AnnualMembers ExhibitDuring the month of September, the Arts Council of
Southeast Missouri is holding our 6th Annual Members Exhibit to
celebrate and showcase the work of our members! This exhibit also gives
the staff and exhibit committee an opportunity to identify talent for
future exhibits.

October 5, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Trick-ART-Treat First Friday with the ArtsThis First Friday we will be holding a Trick Art Treat Stamp Card Event. Details to come!

October 5, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Opening Reception: "Myles Calvert"During the month of October, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is excited to host the artwork of artist Myles Calvert! In addition, new works will be on display by the Visual Arts Cooperative.

October 12 - 14 | PAINT Cape Girardeau Plein-Air Competition Plein Air refers to the simple act of going outdoors to create a piece of art. Artists have long painted outdoors, but the act of painting in natural light from observation has grown in popularity in recent years. Mark your calendar for an opportunity for artists of all talent and experience levels to paint Cape’s fall scenery and the historical buildings situated along the mighty Mississippi River with its’ bluffs and barges.

November 2, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts
is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the
galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly
event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often
providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the
event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often
hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More Here>
November 2, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | "Kyle Groham"During the month of November, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is excited to host the artwork of solo artist Kyle Groham! In addition, the Arts Council will be showcasing the works of the Visual Arts Cooperative.

November 17 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | 48th Annual Christmas Arts &
November 18 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Crafts Extravaganza
The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is excited to announce the 48th Annual Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, at the Osage and Show Me Centers. Over 300 high-quality crafters and artisans will attend, including many of the finest from across the Midwest. Their booths contain beautiful handmade items perfect for holiday gift-giving and decorating! Each booth must sell ONLY handmade items and must pass an inspection to participate in the Extravaganza. Admission for the event is $5.00.Learn More Here

December 7, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | First Friday with the ArtsFirst Friday with the Arts is a community-centered event in Downtown Cape Girardeau. Each of the galleries located in and around Downtown Cape participate in the monthly event by opening for later hours, hosting Artist Receptions, and often providing live music, appetizers, & beverages to visitors of the event. Our local businesses have joined the fun, staying open and often hosting their own exhibitions of regional artwork! Learn More Here>
December 7, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm | Opening Reception for the Regional Juried Exhibition
The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's Regional Juried Exhibition was developed to provide a forum to demonstrate the diversity of this region and the artists who live here. We encourage artists to submit works that interpret any aspect of the Southeast Missouri region as well as its bordering states. Work must interpret the people, places, or things that are representational of this 5- state region. Learn More Here